Paris Olympics 2024: Channel 9’s Tony Jones called ‘Chompers’ by gold medal winner

He’s always ribbed with it in Melbourne but Channel 9 presenter Tony Jones has copped a ‘thanks Chompers’ from a gold medal winner at the Paris Olympics.

The nickname ‘Chompers’ has flashed its way to Paris.

Given to Channel 9’s Tony Jones in reference to his pearly white teeth, Chompers was mentioned by our latest Olympics gold medal sensation, pole vaulter Nina Kennedy.

After wrapping an interview with Jones in the mixed zone, she said “thanks Chompers”.

Jones, who has long been ribbed with it, saw the funny side and said it wasn’t the first time he’d heard it at the track.

“Bloody classic,’’ Jones told Paris Confidential.

“Stewie McSweyn and one of the other Aussies delivered one also at the end of their interviews yesterday.”

Australia's Nina Kennedy celebrates after winning the women's pole vault final gold medal. Picture: AFP

It was a moment that didn’t go unnoticed by Jones’ colleague Kane Cornes, with the commentator chiming in on X: “If we didn’t already love her enough.”

If we didn’t already love her enough https://t.co/VIQoUcEakL

— Kane Cornes (@kanecornes) August 7, 2024

Jones has been reporting on the ground and not hosting for Nine’s coverage, which he said had been an amazing experience.

“When we first won for the rights I contacted our head of sport, Brent Williams, and said I don’t want to be overly presumptuous here but I’d much prefer to be in the mixed zone,’’ Jones said.

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“You’re right there at the coal face, you do have a front-row seat to sporting history. I’ve been really lucky to be in the mixed zone in London when Usain Bolt was the star of the show and we’ve had Noah (Lyles) here who stops to talk to everyone.”

Tony Jones at the athletics track, Stade de France, in Paris

Jones said he’d been blown away by the “sensational” commentary of Gerard Whateley at the athletics.

“He has been nothing short of sensational,’’ Jones said.

“I’m blown away by it, I really am. We’re blessed we’ve got Matt Hill calling radio too.

“I shouldn’t say I’m surprised by Gerard because I know he’s good but he’s gone above and beyond. Every night on the bus back I say how the hell do you do that. I’m just full of admiration. His calls have been clinical, accurate, colourful when needed.”

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Jones has been away for almost seven weeks having worked at Wimbledon as well. The Sunday Footy Show which the sport presenter normally hosts has been on a break through the Olympics.

“In a way I’m glad because there’s less time for Nathan (Brown) to destroy it,’’ he said.